Sit and Stay

Ahh... I think since there are no distractions, he doesn't understand what is going on.
I will see how this works.

Thanks!

Hi, swampyann,

(Someday, you'll have to explain the "swamp"!)

Work on the stay while you are right by him. Try walking around him or swing the leash or jump up and down or turn around. Any distraction you can think of. Take him to a mall and have him sit right next to you while people walk by. Does he like to play with a ball? Bounce one in front of him. If he stays before you take that first step: does he stay while you are on his right side? His left side? Behind him? Sitting down? Can you step over him? (In a large dog, this may mean stepping over his tail; don't try stepping over his head or back unless he is a little guy!)

Does he know down? Practice all these distractions in the down position also. Practice on walks, by busy streets, near grocery stores (those carts are a real distraction!), near playgrounds. Will he stay when someone comes up to talk with you? When a kid comes up to pet him? (Once you start brainstorming, you can think of a million distractions!)

Don't take that first step back until you are sure he is absolutely solid in staying while you are with him.

When you are ready to take one step back, the very first time he is successful, give him a big treat and stop the session. Always stop obedience sessions on a success. Sometimes, in order to do this, you may have to go to the easiest command, for your dog, that you know. But always stop on a success.

Good luck and thank you for reminding me of all those ways of distracting a dog,
kjd